Google seems to slimming down its Chrome web browser, judging by another feature being cut from the team.
Just days after the company announced its notifications centre would be sacked off, the firm released Chrome 46 without ‘OK Google’ voice commands (via VentureBeat).
The feature, which had been baked into the browser since May 2014, had enabled users to perform Google searches from Google.com.
Users will still be able to search by voice, but now they’ll have to click the microphone instead, which, you know, sort of defies the whole point.
The removal affects users on Chrome for Windows, Mac and Linux, but the mobile and Chrome OS versions of the app will retain ‘OK Google’ access.
Related: Best laptops for students 2015
Aside from the removal of ‘OK Google’ there’s little else to report in Chrome 46, aside from a few new developer features.
Is Google working towards a simpler, lighter version of Chrome, which is less memory sapping and does the basics well?
Moves to cut features deemed superfluous to requirements by users, would certainly suggest Google is trimming the fat from its popular web browsing tool.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
